Garden table

ABSTRACT

A handicapped accessible work table having a horizontal transparent table top, with removable plant trays, cushioned arm rest edges, and vertical legs with caster wheels. The tabletop is supported by parallel identical one piece aluminum frames. Each frame is formed from bending an aluminum bar at several points. Each side frame has vertical legs that have upper portions that bend to form supports for the table top and an upwardly bent mid-section that passes through a slot in the table top. A cross-brace bar connects the top of the opposite upwardly bent mid-sections of each frame to give the table structural support above the tabletop. Thus, wheelchairs have no obstacles when positioned about and under the edges of the table. An ultraviolet light source can be connected to the cross-brace bar so that plantings in the trays can have an adequate light source for growth when the table is used for gardening. The tabletop can include a solid working surface. The tabletop can be used for home applications such as laundry, kitchen and food preparation.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0001] Handicapped persons especially wheelchair occupants often havedifficulty with traditional and conventional furniture when used asworktables. For example, stationary work tables are usually too heavy tomove for a persons in a wheelchair. Most work tables have obstaclesunder the tables such as structural support cross-braces, thick legs,low tops, and the like that restrict the wheelchairs accessibility tofit underneath the tables.

[0002] The traditional work tables have hard surface areas especiallyadjacent to the outer edges of the table that are both uncomfortable tousers. Additionally, plane hard upper edges on tables offer noadditional support to handicapped persons having coordinationdifficulties and weak muscularity in their arms.

[0003] Traditional work tables have no built on light sources so thatusers must either physically place lamps on the table and/or rely onfloor lamps and/or overhead light sources. Additionally, traditionalwork tables within darkened rooms cannot rely on these traditional nonultraviolet light sources for growing plants.

[0004] The inventors are aware of several United States Patents ofinterest. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,450 to Sedgwich; U.S.Pat. No. 4,054,315 to Czarnowski; U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,096 to Rice etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,805 to Bergsten et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,009to Hiner; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,270 to Kelly; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,262Kelly et al. However, none of these patents overcome all the problemsdescribed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The first objective of the present invention is to provide ahandicapped accessible table, geared toward the physically challenged,and capable of growing small, simple plants.

[0006] The second object of this invention is to provide a high quality,reasonably priced handicapped accessible table that gives enjoyment,satisfaction and fulfillment to the user.

[0007] The third object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table that is free standing, easy to use, lightweight,strong, and rustproof.

[0008] The fourth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table that can allow for four or more wheelchairs to be ableto fit underneath the table simultaneously.

[0009] The fifth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table having armrests that provide support and comfort tousers having both coordination difficulties and weak muscularity intheir arms.

[0010] The sixth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table that is mobile and not staticly positioned.

[0011] The seventh object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table using artificial light sources such as ultraviolet, forboth a light source to the user and for plants.

[0012] The eighth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table having a transparent surface for allowing the user tosee below the table, and transparent storage compartments for allowingthe user to see plants beneath a dirt surface.

[0013] The ninth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table where structural cross-braces for the table are abovethe table surface.

[0014] The tenth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table to be used for gardening.

[0015] The eleventh object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table that can be used as a laboratory table.

[0016] The twelfth object of this invention is to provide a handicappedaccessible table that can be used for home applications such as laundry,kitchen and food preparation.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the handicapped accessible table forgardening includes a rectangular table top, a first support leg framefor supporting a first side of the table top above ground level, asecond support frame parallel to the first support frame for supportinga second side of the table top above the ground level opposite to thefirst side, and a cross-brace above the table top that is connected to afirst raised portion of the first support frame, and to a second raisedportion of the second support leg frame, wherein there are no obstaclesunderneath the gardening table to restrict wheelchair accessibility.

[0018] Each of the first support leg frame and the second support legframe are formed from a single metal bar such as aluminum bent atselected portion. Each of the single metal bars has vertical legportions that can have wheels that are connected to upper edge portionsfor supporting the table top and an upwardly raised mid-portion thatpasses through the table top, wherein the cross-brace is attached to theupwardly raised mid-portion.

[0019] The table top has a transparent surface with side slots forallowing the first raised portion and the second raised portion to passtherethrough. The table top further includes slots where raised edges ofremovable trays are held within. The tabletop has cushioned armrests.The tabletop can also be used without slots as a solid surface.

[0020] The invention can be used as a laboratory table, a home typeutility table for laundry, kitchen and food preparation, and the like.

[0021] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of a presently preferredembodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred handicappedaccessible gardening table invention.

[0023]FIG. 1B is a top view of the table of FIG. 1A along arrow A.

[0024]FIG. 1C is a side view of the table of FIG. 1A along arrow B.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a separate top view of the tabletop of FIG. 1A-1C.

[0026] FIG.3 is a side view of one of the frame legs of FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0027]FIG. 4A is a side view of one of the removable trays of FIGS.1A-1C.

[0028]FIG. 4B is an end view of the removable tray of FIG. 4A alongarrow C.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the presentinvention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of the particular arrangementshown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, theterminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation.

[0030]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred handicappedaccessible gardening table invention 1. FIG. 1B is a top view of thetable 1 of FIG. 1A along arrow A. FIG. 1C is a side view of the table 1of FIG. 1A along arrow B. FIG. 2 is a separate top view of the tabletop40 of FIG. 1A-1C. FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the frame support legs20 of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 4A is a side view of one of the removable trays50 of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 4B is an end view of the removable tray 50 ofFIG. 4A along arrow C.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1A-4B, table 1 includes a first support legframe 10, and an identical second support leg frame 20, that can be madeof strong, lightweight materials such as aluminum, and the like. Forpurposes of brevity only second support leg frame 20 will be described.Second support leg frame includes vertical leg portions 21, 29 eachhaving a lower end that can include a wheel 70 thereon to allow thetable I to be easily moveable. Wheels 70 can include brakes to lock thetable in place to prevent movement. The upper end of vertical legportions 21, 29 include an angled comer bracket 22, 28, that can attachvertical leg portions 21, 29 to horizontal tabletop support members 23,27, by known techniques such as welding, soldering, and the like. Insideends of horizontal members 23. 27 are attached to upwardly and inwardlyangled raised members 24 and 26 which are connected to one another byraised horizontal mid-member 25. First support leg frame 10 hasidentical components to that of second support leg frame 20.

[0032] Tabletop 40 includes two short sides 42, 46, and two long sides44, 48, with two longitudinal slots 43, 47 along a mid-portion of longsides 44, 48 for allowing upwardly raised members 14-16 of first supportleg frame 10, and upwardly raised members 24-26 of second support legframe 20 to pass therethrough. The horizontal members 13, 17, 23, 27 ofthe first and second support leg frames 10, 20 act as support edges forsupporting the undersurface of tabletop 40 above the floor. Bar 30 isthen attached to a mid-portion of upper horizontal members 15, 25 bysuch techniques as welding, and the like, to function as the maincross-brace support for the table 1. Thus, there are no cross-bracesbelow the table 1 itself. Other than the vertical leg portions 11, 19,21, 29, there are no obstructions which would prevent a wheelchair frombeing able to have a seat portion which comes under the tabletop 40.

[0033] On at least both short side ends 42, 46, there can be rectangulararmrest pads 60 for protecting the forearms and/or elbows of personsseated along the table 1. The armrest pads can include a vinyl outersurface about a foam pad inside, where the outer surface can be fastenedto the table top 40 by glue, screw fasteners, and the like.

[0034] Tabletop 40 of table 1 further includes rectangular slots 41, 45for allowing removable trays 50 to be supported therein. Although onlyfour slots 41, 45 are shown, the invention can be practiced with more orless slots for the removable trays.

[0035] Each of the removable insert trays 50 includes an upper raisedrectangular edge 52, inwardly sloped sides 52 and a closed bottom 54.The raised edge 52 supports the trays 50 within the slots 50. Thestorage trays 50 can be used for plants, soil and fertilizer, seeds, andtools.

[0036] Attached to cross-brace bar 30 can be light sources 90, such asbut not limited to ultraviolet light sources, and the like, that can beconnected thereon.

[0037] Additionally, the tabletop can also be used without slots as asolid work surface.

[0038] In addition to garden applications, the invention can be used asa laboratory table, a home type utility table for laundry, kitchen andfood preparation, and the like

[0039] While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustratedand shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications whichit has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intendedto be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

We claim:
 1. A handicapped accessible table, comprising in combination:a rectangular table top; a first support leg frame for supporting afirst side of the table top above ground level; a second support frameparallel to the first support frame for supporting a second side of thetable top above the ground level opposite to the first side; and across-brace above the tabletop that is connected to a first raisedportion of the first support frame, and to a second raised portion ofthe second support leg frame, wherein there are no obstacles underneaththe gardening table to restrict wheelchair accessibility.
 2. Thehandicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein each of thefirst support leg, frame and the second support leg frame are formedfrom a single metal bar bent at selected portions.
 3. The handicappedwheelchair accessible table of claim 2 , wherein the single metal bar isformed from aluminum.
 4. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table ofclaim 2 , wherein each of the single metal bars includes: vertical legportions connected to upper edge portions for supporting the table topand an upwardly raised mid-portion that passes through the table top,wherein the cross-brace is attached to the upwardly raised mid-portion.5. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein thetable top includes: a transparent surface with side slots for allowingthe first raised portion and the second raise portion to passtherethrough.
 6. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 1, wherein the table top includes: removable trays.
 7. The handicappedwheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein the table top includes:cushioned armrest edge portions on the tabletop.
 8. The handicappedwheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , further comprising: wheels oneach of the first support frames and the second support frames.
 9. Thehandicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein thetabletop includes: a solid working surface.
 10. The handicappedwheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein the table is used as: agarden table.
 11. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 1, wherein the table is used as: a laboratory table.
 12. The handicappedwheelchair accessible table of claim 1 , wherein the table is used as: alaundry and kitchen table.
 13. A handicapped accessible table,comprising in combination: a rectangular table top; a first supportframe bar for supporting a first side of the table top above groundlevel; a second support frame bar parallel to the first support framefor supporting a second side of the table top above the ground levelopposite to the first side, wherein each of the first support frame barand the second support frame bar includes vertical leg portionsconnected to upper edge portions for supporting the table top and anupwardly raised mid-portion that passes through the table top; and across-brace bar above the table top that is connected to both theupwardly raised midportion of the support frame bar and the secondsupport frame bar, wherein there are no obstacles other than thevertical leg portions underneath the gardening table to restrictwheelchair accessibility.
 14. The handicapped wheelchair accessibletable of claim 13 , wherein each of the first support frame bar and thesecond support frame bar are formed from a single metal bar bent atselected portions.
 15. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table ofclaim 14 , wherein the single metal bar is formed from aluminum.
 16. Thehandicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 13 , wherein the tabletop includes: a transparent surface.
 17. The handicapped wheelchairaccessible table of claim 13 , wherein the table top includes: removabletrays.
 18. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 13 ,wherein the table top includes: cushioned armrest edge portions on thetabletop.
 19. The handicapped wheelchair accessible table of claim 13 ,further comprising: wheels on each of the first support frames and thesecond support frames.